Eugene Allen

SHELBY- Eugene Flay Allen, 87, passed away Friday October 10, 2014 at Kings Mountain Hospice House. A native of Cherokee County, SC, he was born August 28, 1927, son of the late Benjamin Franklin and Martha McSwain Allen. He was a veteran of the US Army and served his country in the Korean Conflict, he was also a cook on the Merchant Marine ship. He earned his Associates Degree in Education from Gardner Webb University and his Bachelors Degree in Education from Wake Forest University. He was a teacher at Number Three School and coached basketball and baseball. He taught at Shelby High School and also was Assistant basketball coach there as well. He became the Title 1 Director for Shelby City Schools and Director of Transportation for Shelby City Schools. He became principal of Northside School, now known as North Shelby where he retired. He was a dedicated member of First Baptist Church where he served as a former Deacon, Sunday School Teacher and pre-service pianist. He was always glad to play for the Veteran’s Service at the Senior Center and once held a piano concert at the Malcolm Brown Auditorium. He was a major blood donor for the American Red Cross and at one time he had given the most in Cleveland County. He was a loving and devoted husband and father and loved spending time with his precious grand and great grandchildren. Everyone who met Gene loved him, he was a man of God and a friend to anyone he came in contact with, a true gentleman who grew up during the depression and was taught to take joy in everything and everyone he met, he will forever be missed by many.

PRECEDED: In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his loving wife in whom he adored, Loretta Marie Hamrick Allen who passed away February 17 of this year; an infant son, John Edgar Allen; one sister, Blanche Edmondson; four brothers, Claude Evans Allen, JD Allen, Thomas Hood Allen, and Carson Shuford Allen

SURVIVED: He is survived by two beautiful daughters; Susan Smith and husband Ryan of Shelby, and Sharon Puckett and husband Joey of Stanley; one twin sister, Irene Fortenberry and husband Bill of Shelby; four grandchildren, Savannah Beam of Concord, Casey Puckett of Gastonia, Andy Beaver of Shelby, and Jay Puckett and wife Taylor of Mt. Holly; three great grandchildren.

SERVICES: A funeral service will be held 2:00 pm Monday at First Baptist Church of Shelby in the main sanctuary.

VISITATION: The family will receive friends 6-7:30 pm Sunday at Clay-Barnette Funeral Home of Shelby and other times at Gene’s home on Stroud Road.

CLERGY: Rev. Tony Tench

BURIAL: Burial will immediately follow in Cleveland Memorial Park with Military Honors given by Rutherford County Honor Guard.

PALLBEARERS: Ryan Smith, Joey Puckett, Jay Puckett, Andy Beaver, Josh Schoelkopf, Joe Moore, and Billy Fortenberry.

MEMORIALS: Memorials may be made to Hospice of Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby, NC 28150.

FUNERAL HOME: Clay-Barnette Funeral Home of Shelby